UP. Migrants to Mumbai: Mainly for Economic Reasons?

Rajiva Prasad, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)Mahesh Nath Singh, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

Migration to India’s commercial capital Mumbai is different both in nature and context. A study of 1162 U.P. migrants to Mumbai indicated that two third have migrated to Mumbai for economic reasons. After coming to Mumbai some have started their own business. Majority have rural background. At the time of migration their median age was 19.7 years and half of them were married and one fourth illiterate. Around half of them had to wait for 6 months to get employment in Mumbai. Forty seven percent came to Mumbai alone or with their parents/friends or relatives. More than half were living for last 25 years. Half of them visit their native place once in a year. They still maintain connection with their kins in native place. They regularly send remittance, cash or kind to be utilized by their left over relatives for household consumption, medical expenses and purchase of selected items.